Female tourists wanted after hospital incident

Police are investigating an incident in Paphos where a situation at the hospital got out of hand after three female tourists described as intoxicated had an altercation with nursing staff and an officer on duty.

Local media said three visitors described as British nationals were taken by ambulance to the Emergency Room at Paphos General Hospital early Monday morning around 4am after having too much to drink.

While in the waiting area, a police officer on duty approached the women who were said to be cursing at a nurse and causing a disturbance.

During the encounter, according to local media, the women allegedly attacked a female nurse while a police officer had also informed them they were under arrest.

The women fled the scene and police secured warrants for their arrests, with one of them aged 22 later being apprehended by law enforcement officers.

Police declined to provide details about the incident or whether anything preceded their arrival at the hospital.

But a communications officer told Knews that police were investigating the commission of offences such as cursing in public, assaulting a police officer, assaulting and causing bodily harm against nursing staff, and escaping from lawful detention.

Local media said a female nurse was injured in the head during the incident.

A statement from a state nurses union called on the state to take measures to protect members from violence.

Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela has contacted the injured nurse and wished her speedy recovery, while the incident and hospital staff concerns were to be discussed in a meeting on Tuesday.